Wilds

Released in 2021, Wilds serves as a companion piece and a 'raw' counterpart to Andy Shauf's 2020 concept album, The Neon Skyline. While the latter was celebrated for its intricate woodwind arrangements and polished production, Wilds consists of songs written and recorded during the same sessions but kept in their more skeletal, demo-like states. Shauf performed nearly every instrument himself, recording to a portable tape machine, which gives the album its characteristic warmth and lo-fi grit. Critics, including those at AllMusic, noted that the album highlights Shauf's exceptional narrative songwriting, focusing on the recurring characters of Judy and Jeremy. It represents a significant sonic pivot toward minimalism, eschewing the 'chamber pop' label for a more direct 'indie folk' approach. The record is essential for understanding Shauf's creative process, bridging the gap between his bedroom-pop origins and his more sophisticated later work.